In today’s world, a quality VPN is essential. Whether you want to protect your privacy from prying eyes or access content that’s blocked in your country, a VPN is your best friend. Most of us know the basics—you connect to a server in another country, and you’re set. But what if you want more? What if you need absolute control and maximum security?
This is exactly where IPVanish became my hero, and its Double Hop feature is the reason I love it.
What is Double Hop and Why Should You Care?
Before we get into what makes IPVanish so special, let’s quickly explain what Double Hop (also known as Multi-Hop or Double VPN) is.
Think of it as double-layered security. Instead of routing your internet traffic through a single VPN server, it sends it through two different servers.
- The first server encrypts your data and hides your real IP address.
- The second server adds another layer of encryption before your traffic proceeds to its final destination.
The result? It’s practically impossible for anyone trying to track your activity to figure out where you’re actually connecting from. It’s the ultimate tool for anonymity.
The Competition’s Approach: Good, but Limited
Many top-tier VPNs, like NordVPN, offer a Double VPN feature. And that’s great. But there’s a catch—the server pairings are pre-defined. You can choose from a set list of pairs, such as “USA -> Canada” or “UK -> Netherlands.” You don’t have the freedom to design the route yourself.
ProtonVPN takes a similar path with its “Secure Core” feature, which first routes traffic through their ultra-secure servers in Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland before sending it to your chosen exit server.
Again, it offers fantastic security, but the entry point is fixed.
And Now for the Best Part: Total Freedom with IPVanish
This is precisely the moment I fell in love with IPVanish. Forget about pre-defined lists. IPVanish gives you complete and total freedom.
As you can see in the screenshots, I can choose any entry server and any exit server from their entire global network.
Want to connect through Australia and exit in Germany? No problem.
- For my first server, I select Adelaide, Australia.
- For my second server, I choose Frankfurt, Germany.
The IPVanish UI allows for easy selection of the first server in the Double Hop chain.
Next, the user can choose any other server as the exit point to the internet.
This level of control is simply unmatched. I can create a completely unique and unpredictable route that maximizes my anonymity and bypasses even the most sophisticated geo-blocks.
Comparison of Double Hop Features Across Leading VPNs
| VPN Provider | Feature Name | Customization Level & Key Difference |
| IPVanish | Double Hop | 🥇 Fully Customizable. The user has absolute freedom to choose any entry and exit server from the entire global network. |
| Surfshark | Dynamic MultiHop | 🥈 Fully Customizable. Very similar to IPVanish, allowing users to create their own unique server pairs. Also offers static pairs. |
| NordVPN | Double VPN | 🥉 Limited (Pre-defined pairs). The user can only choose from a fixed list of server combinations. Custom routes cannot be created. |
| ProtonVPN | Secure Core | Partially Customizable. The entry server is always one of their ultra-secure “Secure Core” servers (Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland). The exit server is user-selectable. |
| ExpressVPN | (Not Offered) | Feature is not available. The service focuses on maximizing the speed and security of single-server connections. |
| CyberGhost | (Not Offered) | Feature is not available. Like ExpressVPN, they do not offer this advanced feature. |
The Ultimate Bonus: Combining it with Obfuscation
The best part is that I can combine this feature with obfuscation. In the IPVanish settings, all you have to do is select the OpenVPN protocol and enable the “Scramble” feature.
By doing this, you not only encrypt your traffic and send it through two servers, but you also disguise the very fact that you’re using a VPN. For networks that try to block VPNs (like schools, corporate offices, or certain countries), this combination is invaluable.
This means I can set up my obfuscated server connection exactly how I want it, which is an absolute blast!
Why is This Flexibility a Game-Changer?
- Maximum Anonymity: By creating your own non-standard route, you become a needle in a haystack. Your digital footprint is unique and much harder to trace.
- Strategic Geo-Block Bypassing: Need to access a service only available in the US, but want your initial traffic to look like it’s coming from Europe? No problem. Enter the network in Prague and exit in New York.
- Control for the Power User: If you take your online privacy seriously, you want to be in control. IPVanish gives you that control without compromise.
Conclusion: A Small Detail That Makes a Huge Difference
In a market where many VPN services seem almost identical, it’s the details that make all the difference. While the competition gives you a set menu, IPVanish gives you the entire kitchen and lets you cook up exactly what you want.
The ability to fully customize my Double Hop route is one of the most useful and favorite features I’ve ever seen in a VPN.
And it’s the main reason IPVanish remains at the top of my list. If you’re like me and want to have your security firmly in your own hands, this is the feature for you.
FAQ
What is the Double Hop feature?
It’s an advanced security feature that routes your internet traffic through two different VPN servers instead of one, effectively doubling your encryption and anonymity.
How is IPVanish’s Double Hop better than the competition?
Unlike other VPNs with pre-set server pairs, IPVanish gives you complete freedom. You can choose any entry and any exit server from their entire global network.
Can I combine this feature with anything else?
Yes, IPVanish allows you to combine Double Hop with its “Scramble” (obfuscation) feature. This not only doubles your encryption but also hides the fact that you’re using a VPN, which is ideal for networks that try to block VPNs.
What’s the benefit of creating a custom route?
A custom route makes it extremely difficult to track you, allows for strategic bypassing of geo-blocks, and gives you maximum control over your online privacy.
